“Remind me to take care of them later,” he murmured.
“Let’s face it. I guess this is the state I will live in forever, given I’m with six hot men.” I sighed dramatically.
“Lucky you.”
I rolled my eyes, and he chuckled.
“Mr. Rawlins?”
We turned our attention to a tall, heavy-set man who appeared to be in his late fifties or early sixties and dressed in a tux.
“Roger. Nice to see you.” Tate flashed a broad smile as he shook the man’s hand. “Allow me to introduce my girlfriend, Louisa Kembry. Louisa, Roger is the head of the board of Rawlins Industries’ London offices.”
Roger squeezed my hand in turn. “A pleasure, my dear.”
I smiled politely at him. “Hi.”
“Welcome to London. I trust your flight was uneventful?”
“Perfectly.” Tate nodded.
“How are you enjoying London, Ms. Kembry? I hear it’s your first time visiting our great city?”
“It is,” I confirmed. “From what I’ve seen of it so far, it’s incredible. I can’t believe we’re staying right around the corner from here within a stone’s throw of the Queen and her family.” I lowered my voice so not too many people could overhear my awe.
Roger beamed at me. “Quite right. While I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting with Her Majesty, I have dined with her granddaughter, Princess Beatrice.”
“You have?”
“Yes, she’s a fascinating young lady. She’s turned out rather well, considering.”
“Considering?” I rolled my hand, indicating for him to continue.
“Well, her mother, of course. We all know Ms. Ferguson is no Lady Diana.” Roger’s double chin shook with his laughter.
I held my clutch in both hands in front of me. “Oh, I like her, actually. She’s not afraid to be herself, warts and all.”
Roger’s friendliness all but disappeared.
I felt Tate’s hand against my back again. “Louisa’s not one for pretense.”
“I see.”
“I hate to bring up work talk at the Christmas party, but it’s been a while since we caught up in person, Roger,” Tate said as he patted the older man’s shoulder. “Lou, do you mind?”
“No, not at all.” I patted Tate’s chest. “But don’t be long.”
Tate rested his palm on my cheek, then lowering his mouth to my ear, he whispered, “And leave the most beautiful woman in the room unattended? Not likely.” He pulled me into a kiss, and his tongue teased mine, almost making me forget we were in a room full of people. “Five minutes.”
As he moved away, I turned to take in the room with its rich red and green patterned carpets and the large fireplace surrounded by a beautifully carved mantelpiece.
Marble columns held up the ceiling adorned with Victorian plaster tiles and chandeliers. A beautifully decorated Christmas tree stood in one corner, beside which was a small classical orchestra playing Christmas tunes in the most demure way I’d ever heard. The room lived up to its name with books lining the walls surrounding us, making me wonder if they had a zoology section and how old it might be? London was, after all, the birthplace of my chosen career path.
Out the window, across a park and the Thames, the London Eye was lit up so spectacularly, like a beacon in the night that could probably be seen for miles.
“Oh, my goodness, that’s so beautiful.” I pulled out my phone to try to take a photograph, but for the life of me, I couldn’t get a good shot due to my reflection in the glass. I huffed out an annoyed sigh. I’d been in London an entire day and neglected to take a single snapshot. I was great at photographing the animals I loved so much, but not the people in my life, nor the special moments.
“Would you like me to take your photo, miss?”